Chapter Nine

And That's How It Went Down.

Ron frowned at the sudden change in his sister. She marched into the Great hall, head down over her book. She looked... upset. It was quite a change from her recent mindless joy. Not even the appearance of Charlie, her favorite brother made a difference. As Dumbledore announced that Charlie was to be helping out Hagrid for the rest of the year and Hermione avoided looking at the Teacher's table for some reason, Ron leaned over to his sister.

"Gin? What's wrong?"

Her sharp brown gaze swung to him for a minute and Ron almost quelled. Then Ginny seemed to remember that he wasn't why she was upset and she sighed. "Nothing."

"No, it isn't! You haven't even touched your food. And do you even care that Charlie's going to be here for the rest of the year? The rest of your sixth year, Ginny! He may even be here next year!"

"It's nothing, Ron. I told you, I'm fine," she hissed.

"Ginny! I don't believe a word of that!"

"Fine!" she slammed her hands down on the table, standing as she did so. "You want the truth? My boyfriend and I broke up. There! Are you happy?"

With that, Ginny burst into tears and fled from the hall.

888

Pansy watched the exchange in horror. She had never felt exactly chummy with the Weasley girl, but they had partnered for classes before and the red head was a decent girl. She turned back to her table to mention something to Draco when she caught the look on his face.

She stopped. Her gaze swung back to the departing figure of Ginny. Scenes and connections never made flashed through her mind.

"Holy shit," she swore, her jaw dropping.

Blaise, sitting beside her, stopped eating and looked at her. "Pans? What is it?"

"Draco?" she said, putting a hand on Blaise's arm to silence him momentarily. "You didn't by any chance break up with that delightful girl of yours?"

Draco blinked, "Why would you say that?"

"Because you look like Hagrid just sat on your new broom."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he hissed.

Blaise had by now put everything together. At a nod from Pansy, he rounded the table and grabbed Draco. Draco looked about to protest, but Blaise was seven inches taller and a good fifty pound heavier and could quite easily throw Draco over his shoulder like a villian of yore. Draco decided to go along.

Pansy meanwhile, darted over to Ron Weasley, not missing the looks Hermione was covertly giving Charlie Weasley or the glare Cho Chang was giving Pansy herself.

She wasted no time but grabbed his arm and dragged him into the hallway. Draco and Blaise were already there. Draco and Ron glared at each other. Pansy stepped between them.

"Draco, why did you break up with Ginny?" She asked, point blank.

Ron went scarlet faced and began shouting obsenities but was prevented from doing any serious damage to anyone when Blaise wrapped an arm around his neck.

"We... we both thought it was best."

"I take it you don't anymore," Pansy said wryly.

Draco looked down, "No. We've only been apart for a few hours and... I miss her so much."

"So get back together!" Ron announced.

Draco stared at him in shock.

"Malfoy, Merlins knows I dislike you intensely. But you make my sister happy and I would be willing to overlook certain things if she wanted it."

"But how do I do that? I mean, half the school has to know we had a bad break up."

"Have a better get together," Pansy said simply. "Publicly announce you want to get back together. With Ron supporting you, you won't get killed on sight."

"But how do I go about that?"

"I have an idea."

The group turned to see Cho Chang. She was eyeing Ron hungrily. Ron was looking a little uncomfortable.

"Are you going to tell us?" Pansy asked.

"On one condition."

"Name it," The three Slytherins said in unison.

"I want a date. With you." She said, turning to Ron.

Ron flushed but nodded. "Next... uh, Hogsmeade ok?"

Cho smiled and the world seemed to brighten with that gesture.

888

Hermione absently noted Cho leaving. She knew what the Ravenclaw would suggest: the very idea she had planted three days ago. She knew also she should be headed to help Ginny 'recover' but for some reason she couldn't help but stare at Charlie Weasley.

(A/N: Only one more chapter I think. Maybe an Epilogue if you ask nicely.